In February, the usual meetings were on the agenda, but also various other events such as a farewell gathering for staff members who are retiring and a very useful workshop for HR’s response team and emergency management team. Not to forget Bolludagur, which was celebrated here at RU as always. Here are the main highlights from February—better late than never! 

• Executive Committee meetings: Procedures were approved for the establishment of new study programmes and micro-credentials, as well as procedures for the curriculum catalogue, review of study programmes, and the terms of reference for the Icelandic Agency for Quality Assurance. 

• As announced by email, the fire department was called to RU due to a chemical leak in the university’s chemistry laboratory. The leak occurred during work with reactive chemicals when the ventilation system in a fume hood stopped working, resulting in a small amount of gases being released onto the room. The person working in the lab immediately called the emergency services, and the security guard on duty—followed later by the fire department—ensured that the building was evacuated. When the fire department measured contamination levels, no contamination was detected either in the chemistry laboratory or in nearby rooms. After the measurements were completed, people were allowed back into the building. The person working in the lab went to the emergency room for precautionary observation. The safety committee and others have since followed up on the matter. I am very grateful for the quick response of the person involved and for the responders who reacted swiftly and ensured the safety of staff and students. 

• An NTEU steering group meeting was held in February, as it is every month. Several exciting developments are in progress. 

• The Dean’s List ceremony took place in February, where students received recognition for outstanding academic achievement. This time, 63 students made the President’s List, and two students received a scholarship from the University Foundation. Congratulations to them once again! 

• A staff meeting was held at the beginning of February, where the 2026 budget, the results of the staff workshop on strategy, the institutional review by The Icelandic Agency for Quality Assurance, and the major projects of the year were discussed. 

• A meeting was held with representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education regarding an artificial intelligence solution for universities. 

• Education Day of the Business Community at Reykjavík Hilton Nordica. The event is a joint project of Samorka, the Icelandic Travel Industry Association, the Icelandic Financial Services Association, the Federation of Icelandic Fishing Vessel Owners, the Federation of Icelandic Industries, the Icelandic Chamber of Commerce and the Confederation of Icelandic Employers. 

• A Board meeting took place in mid-February, where the agenda included finance, IT matters, staff and equality issues, evaluation of the work of the board and management, a review of governance practices, a governance statement, and a written assessment of the board’s independence. 

• A farewell reception was held for three staff members retiring due to age: Anna Ingólfsdóttir, professor in the Department of Computer Science; Gísli Freyr Þorsteinsson, workshop supervisor at the Department of Engineering; and Kristján Kristjánsson, director of research services.  

• I attended a workshop for RU’s response team and emergency management team, which focused on governance in emergency operations and the civil protection system. Several incidents were also reviewed, where we refined procedures and response plans at RU. 

The semester is flying by and we all have plenty to do, which will likely increase as spring approaches. Enjoy the days getting longer and don’t hesitate to reach out if necessary. 

Warm regards, 
Ragnhildur 

January has now come to an end, and as always at this time of year there has been a great deal going on. And it is always a pleasure to see the daylight increasing day by day. Here are the main highlights from January, although the key projects for the year ahead and the outcomes of the staff workshop held in December were presented at a staff meeting earlier this week. 

• The Joint Committee for Higher Education met in mid-January and discussed finances and other matters. 

• At a Board meeting, legislative changes affecting operations were reviewed, along with investment returns, cybersecurity, internal control, governance structure, and finally preparations were made for the University Council meeting. 

• The University Council met on 23 January. The main items on the agenda were: news from the university, key elements of the 2026 operational and financial plan, quality matters and audit outcomes, vision, strategy, key projects, and performance indicators. Finally, discussions were held on future education and skills needs, looking 10 to 15 years ahead. 

• Executive Committee meetings were held on 6 and 20 January. At the meeting on 6 January, the following were approved: rules on special accommodations, a new study track in design and product engineering, the RU–RUEC Research Ethics Committee, and rules on research accounts. At the meeting on 20 January, the following were approved: joint interdisciplinary study tracks, and the publication of the Intellectual Property Council’s annual report on the RU website. 

• I welcomed guests at the opening ceremony of Spark 2026, organized by the Junior Achievement Iceland Young Entrepreneurs Incubator. 

• The New Year’s reception at Bessastaðir, held on 6 January, was as festive as ever. 

• The President of Iceland also presented the Innovation Awards, and one of the six finalist projects came from health engineering—developed by students from RU and the University of Iceland. Congratulations on that achievement. 

• I was one of three university rectors who met with a committee on employment policy and presented the universities’ perspectives. 

• Internal meetings were held on human resources and quality matters, as well as status meetings and other meetings, including one concerning the institutional structure of NTEU. It is somewhat complex to determine where study programmes offered through the network should be placed within the university. 

• The monthly meeting of department heads was held, where finances, salary matters, and key projects were discussed. 

• I attended a first aid course organized by the Icelandic Red Cross, which was offered to all RU staff. The aim is to gain confidence, skills, and knowledge to provide assistance in emergencies using simple and safe methods. I do not regret the four hours the course took and encourage everyone to attend such a course! 

• Orientation days for exchange students took place at the beginning of January, during which the university’s operations were introduced, and students were given a tour of the building. They also received a crash course in Icelandic and attended a lecture from the Environment Agency on environmentally friendly lifestyles in Iceland. 

• Career Days were held from 20–22 January, where companies presented their activities and met visitors. Never have so many companies participated - 61 in total. The programme reached its peak on 22 January when Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland, visited the university and met students for a sofa talk, where she discussed leadership and what it means to be a leader. 

• Graduation took place on the last day of January at Harpa. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all graduates on this milestone! 

I think I can truly say that 2026 began with a bang! It is wonderful to feel the sense of unity and momentum at the start of the year as we tackle our projects—thank you all! 

Warm regards, 
Ragnhildur 

Dear all, 
The school year is flying by, and the twelve-week courses of this spring semester are now more than halfway through. The past month has been busy, including graduation, submitting RU’s Self-evaluation Report for the Institution-Wide Review (IWR), and University Day. Here is a brief overview: 

Institution-Wide Review (IWR) 

• The Self-evaluation Report was submitted on February 25. This report explains how we ensure the quality of our activities, including education and teaching, research and innovation, as well as quality management and strategic governance. More information on institutional reviews can be found at iaqa.is. In May, we expect a site visit from the review panel, which will then submit its evaluation report with findings. 

Meetings 

• The annual meeting between RU and the Icelandic Agency for Quality Assurance (IAQA) took place at the end of January. 

• A workshop with all department chairs was held to discuss the university’s development in the coming semesters, focusing on student growth, academic offerings, and staff workload. 

• On February 7, the University Council had a meeting. As usual, in addition to the Council members, representatives from the Faculty Association (SFHR), department chairs, deans, the executive director, and RU’s president attended. Topics included organization and operational rules, safety issues, and the implementation of the university’s strategy. 

• On February 11, the Executive Council had a meeting – to our knowledge, the first in RU’s history without the President in attendance! Óli chaired the meeting, where the following were approved: Quality Policy, Open Access Policy, Final Project Regulations, and two promotion committees. 

• On February 18, the Board of Directors met, covering topics such as facilities, staff and equality issues, RU’s asset management, and the evaluation of the board’s and university leadership’s work. 

• At the end of February, I met with the review committee evaluating Lille University’s institutional quality assessment. Since we collaborate with Lille through NeurotechEU, we were invited to participate as stakeholders. 

Events 

• On February 1, we had a graduation at Eldborg in Harpa – always a joyful and festive occasion! 

• The Dean’s List ceremony took place on February 19, which was also a wonderful event! 

• University Day was held on March 1 and was a great success. Many visitors came, and both the open lectures and the student-led campus tours were well attended. Thank you to everyone who participated! 

An overview of what is ahead can be found on RU’s website under the President’s page. President of Reykjavik University | Háskólinn í Reykjavík. This new page is intended for both internal and external communication. Here, I post speeches and addresses, hoping to give prospective students and others interested in RU a sense of what our University is like, as we see similar pages from other universities receive considerable traffic. 

Instead of sending large group emails, I plan to experiment with using the website for University updates, including these newsletters and key highlights from the President’s calendar. The page is, of course, public, so if this proves to be too much, we’ll find another way! Feel free to send me a message if you have thoughts on the platform, the frequency of updates, or anything else. 

Kind regards, 
Ragnhildur 

Highlights from the last few weeks

Dear all,
the end of 12 weeks courses is near. Last few weeks have been eventful: A lot of events, RU’s scientists have been present in Icelandic media, e.g. because of Brain Awareness Week and the state of international affairs, and our students have been abroad competing and presenting. Here are the highlights:

Meetings

• In early March, an executive review for the Equal Pay Certification took place, followed by an audit, which had very positive results. The findings will be presented at a staff meeting this spring.
• There have also been frequent meetings regarding housing and international affairs.
• On March 6, me and Gullý met with the Canadian ambassador to discuss RU’s collaboration with Canadian universities. There is interest in further strengthening these partnerships.
• On March 11, The Executive Council had a meeting. Topics discussed included the council’s rules of procedure, RU’s organizational structure, and the status of housing matters. Additionally, one promotion committee was approved.
• On March 14, the Board of Directors had a meeting, covering topics such as regulations, organizational structure, and rules of procedure. A proposal for a compensation policy was reviewed, and preparations were made for the annual general meeting and the university council meeting in May. Perhaps most importantly, the university’s leadership was given authorization to continue working on housing matters in line with the approach discussed in the Executive Council meeting.
• A meeting was held with SFHR on various matters, but their major events for the spring semester have now concluded (apart from elections).

Events

• University Day at Höfn, Egilsstaðir and Akureyri.
• RU’s Department of Psychology celebrated Brain Awareness Week with articles on Visir.is and two events.
• RU’s Department of Computer Science had a symposium on the future of Iceland’s national healt system where the CEO of Landspitali University Hospital and specialists from abroad were among the speakers.
• RU’s Department of Law had a conference in Harpa about law and artificial intelligence.
• The Programming Competition for Secondary Schools was on March 8 and was a great success.

Other news

• The 2024 annual financial statement is ready and will be presented at a staff meeting once it has been audited and approved by the Board of Directors. However, I can already say that the results do not change the strategic direction we are following.
• The requirement analysis for facilities and housing is progressing well, and we expect to have a clear overview by early April.
• Our students have been actively participating in competitions and events, representing us in the best possible way:
  • RU students achieved the university’s best-ever result in an international finance competition held in Toronto, Canada.
  • RU’s team secured second place in the Nordic Case Challenge.
  • The winning team from Vitinn traveled to Boston this week, accompanied by me, Ólöf, and Hrafntinna. They explored Iceland’s seafood industry and presented their competition project both at Seafood Expo North America and during our visit to the University of Southern Maine. There, we visited the Ocean Cluster, various labs (which made us quite envious of the tech), and discussed a range of topics with President Jacqueline Edmondson.
• Preparations for the upcoming visit related to the Institution-wide Review are in full swing.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone to check the President’s calendar here on the website for updates on upcoming events.

Kind regards,
Ragnhildur

Dear all,
It’s exam season for the students, and most of us are quite busy with that, in addition to preparing for the three-week courses that begin later this month. So, there's plenty ahead, but the past few weeks have also been eventful. Here are the highlights in bullet form:

• At the turn of March/April, I was in New York for a board meeting of the Leifur Eiríksson Foundation, which provides scholarships for Americans to study in Iceland and for Icelanders to study in the U.S. The board meets twice a year, and this meeting focused on selecting around 10 scholarship recipients for next year, based on recommendations from the evaluation committee.
• On April 2nd, there was an Executive Council meeting where, among other things, the council’s operating procedures were approved. Joint interdisciplinary study programs were discussed, as well as RU’s tuition rules for students from outside Europe. It was also confirmed that a promotion committee had been approved between meetings.
• The annual general meetings of Grunnstoðir (RU’s real estate company) and Bakhjarlar (which oversees the research fund and other similar funds) were held on April 3rd, with the main agenda being the approval of the 2024 financial statements.
• The same financial statements were the focus of the RU Board of Directors meeting on Friday, April 4th. Immediately following that, a staff meeting was held where the 2024 financial statements were presented, along with brief introductions to the new support divisions: Student Services and the University Office.
• In early April, principals of secondary schools visited RU. This group hadn’t visited since before COVID, so it was great to welcome them. There was extensive discussion about admission criteria and requirements across RU’s different departments, what the first year of university is like, transitions between educational levels, and more. Representatives from most departments and student service units participated in the meeting, which was great. Everyone agreed we should do this again sooner rather than later.
• Later that same week, I met with representatives from Arctic Circle to discuss collaboration with RU.
• The week ended with a meeting with the mayor of Reykjavík and others at City Hall, where we discussed the development of the RU campus area.
• From April 7th–9th, a group from RU visited the University of Bonn to explore bilateral collaboration opportunities, as the two universities are partners within NeurotechEU. Bonn is a very strong university, and it was great to visit them—both generally and through meetings between various departments and units.
• From April 9th–11th, the annual European University Association (EUA) conference took place. More than 500 university leaders from across Europe attend this conference, and it has proven to be very useful. There are informal networking meetings for Icelandic, Nordic, and NeurotechEU rectors who are present, a closed confidential session for rectors (this time focusing on emergency planning and crisis response), and three parallel conference tracks—covering everything from university finances and increasing revenue, to open science, technology in teaching, sustainability in operations and education, and EU grants.
• And now during Holy Week, four of us from RU are visiting the German Jordanian University in Jordan—a technical university based on the German model. It has long served as an exchange destination both to and from RU, and it also plays a significant role in the technical education of Syrian refugees and more. I look forward to meeting them, aligning our efforts, and considering how to make the collaboration as fruitful as possible.

After Easter, we look forward to the three-week courses, RU’s annual general meeting, and a visit from the Icelandic Agency for Quality Assurance. Then I hope as many of you as possible take time to respond to the job satisfaction survey that was sent out this week. We regularly use Gallup for these surveys, but this one from Prósent is typically done every one to two years, and continues a tradition of over a decade. It would be great to get a strong response rate this time. A lot has happened since the last survey in autumn 2022!

But first, it’s time for the Easter break! I wish you all a very Happy Easter and hope you enjoy the holiday with your loved ones.

Warm regards,
Ragnhildur

Dear all,
April and May are often eventful months in the academic year, and this year is no exception. Here are the main highlights in bullet form:

• During Holy Week, four of us from RU visited the German Jordanian University in Jordan. This is a technical university based on the German model and has been a popular exchange destination both to and from RU.
• RU's Annual General Meeting was held on April 30. Professor Þórdís Ingadóttir from the Department of Law gave a talk on tariffs and the WTO following the formal meeting agenda.
• The Icelandic Agency for Quality Assurance (IAQA) visited RU from May 5–8 as part of the institutional review process. Heartfelt thanks to all of you who met with the panel and prepared for the visit. We are sure to receive a lot of useful feedback from this, but already in the closing meeting the panel remarked on the strong quality culture and ambition evident from everyone they met.
• The Teaching Development Day of the Department of Preliminary Studies was held on May 13 and was a great success.
• In mid-May, a scientific seminar and a NeurotechEU Board of Rectors meeting were held in Bonn. I was unable to attend due to illness, but Óli represented us. The main topic of discussion was a joint master’s degree, which we will participate in and is currently under development.
• Last week, RU signed a three-year collaboration agreement with Reitir, a real estate company. This is an exciting partnership that will strengthen RU’s ties with industry and promote innovation. Among the elements of the collaboration is an annual student idea competition where students get the opportunity to tackle real-world challenges.
• On May 16, the University Council met, joined by chairs of departments (or their deputies). The main topic of the meeting was the development of academic programmes and shorter study tracks. The discussion explored questions such as what departments currently have in the pipeline and whether there are exciting fields we may be overlooking.
• This past Monday, representatives from Statistics Iceland came for a visit and we received excellent presentations on data-driven master’s programmes and research at RU, some of which are based on Statistics Iceland data.
• This week also included a full-day working meeting on housing issues and follow-up on the IAQA’s review.
• There are numerous PhD defences these days, which are always joyful occasions!

There have also been many events on campus recently. Just this week alone we hosted a major conference in collaboration with the Icelandic Football Association (KSÍ), an open house for prospective undergraduates, there was a science trip to the Open University, and today we hosted one of the biggest events of the year: Girls, Non-binary and Technology.

And there’s more to come! We’ll be holding a staff meeting around the end of the month. A new event, Boys and Non-Binary at University, will take place on June 4. The following day is the application deadline for undergraduate studies, and on June 6 we’ll celebrate the graduation of our University Foundation Programme students. On June 21, the graduation ceremony will be held in Eldborg, Harpa. Exciting and busy weeks ahead—enjoy the early summer!

Warm regards,
Ragnhildur

Dear all, 
happy summer! It was such a pleasure to see so many of you at the graduation ceremonies and the RU summer celebration. As is usual for this time of year, last weeks have been quite busy. Here are the highlights in bullet points: 

Graduations and Applications

• June 5 marked the application deadline for undergraduate programmes at RU. It was encouraging to see that there is a lot interest in studying at the University. The total number of applications, including those from abroad that had not yet been reviewed, was just under 4,400 — similar as for autumn 2024. Reviewed applications were slightly fewer for this year: just under 2,800 compared to just under 2,900 at the same time last year. Fewer applicants will be admitted than apply; about 1,500 new students — a little over half of all applicants — will be accepted this autumn. 
• On June 6, a graduation ceremony was held for the Department of Preliminary Studies, always a festive occasion. This year, 34 students graduated. Many of them plan to continue to university-level studies. It’s worth noting that the graduation speaker at the University of Akureyri ceremony had previously completed studies at the Department of Preliminary Studies. A comparable number of students complete individual supplementary courses within the programme — often to meet entrance requirements for the studies they wish to pursue — but this group does not formally graduate. 
• On June 14, I travelled to Akureyri to attend the graduation ceremony at the University of Akureyri, where nine students graduated from the computer science programme taught in partnership with RU. This collaboration is now in its teenage years, and it's gratifying to see that, according to an analysis of its impact, 80% of graduates are now working in their field in North Iceland. This really makes a difference. 
• On June 21, the main RU graduation ceremony took place in Eldborg at Harpa. A total of 697 students graduated this time, and it was particularly joyful that a record number of students — nineteen in all — completed their PhDs. The atmosphere was, as always, filled with joy. It is a true privilege to be part of this event, and I encourage staff members to attend at least one graduation ceremony each year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the results of our collective efforts! 

Meetings

• A staff meeting was held on June 5, where the main topic was the employee satisfaction survey conducted by Prósent this spring. The results were very positive overall. However, as discussed at the meeting, there are considerable differences in the results between units. We will therefore need to work further with the results both within units and at University level, where the focus areas include improving information flow, increasing transparency in the implementation RU’s strategy, salary issues, and strengthening RU as one unit — the “RU heart.” 
• The Executive Council met on June 10. On the agenda were draft regulations regarding tuition fees for students from outside the EEA, the establishment of a clinical neuropsychology programme, and interdisciplinary study lines. As is customary, the council works through issues until consensus is reached, so approval of the tuition fee regulations and criteria for interdisciplinary programmes (e.g., who is responsible for organizing, who is accountable, and how such programmes are funded) was postponed. 
• The RU Board met on June 12. Topics included the board's work plan for the coming academic year, the status of student applications, university funding, and the budget. Discussions also included when work might begin on student housing at Nauthólsvegur 87. 
• Spatial planning in the area has received significant attention recently, particularly regarding student housing, the area between the student housing and RU and Borgarlína. Meetings have also taken place concerning school facilities and potential expansion. 
• Work meetings were held with department heads and directors on RU’s strategy, its implementation, and the upcoming semester. It is valuable to reflect on what has been achieved, what is going well, where improvements are needed, and what people envision for the next academic year. 
• The steering group for NeurotechEU also met, including discussions on a joint master's degree programme that RU is developing in cooperation with partner institutions. 
• In early June, I met with Logi Einarsson, Minister of Culture, Higher Education, and Innovation, to discuss new programme proposals, our experience with the new university funding model, its stability, and more. 
• Finally, on June 24, the University Cooperation Committee met. The rectors approved a new resolution on academic freedom (as part of a Nordic initiative in response to global developments), discussed international cooperation in these turbulent times, and expressed thanks to Jón Atli Benediktsson for his collaboration. Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir was warmly welcomed as the new rector of the University of Iceland. 

I hope you enjoy the summer with your people and I look forward to seeing you in August! 

Warm regards, 
Ragnhildur

Dear all, 

August is always a lively month, and things have certainly been buzzing around here now that teaching is fully underway. The past few weeks have been filled with orientation for new students, meetings, and preparations for the coming academic year. I’m feeling excited — and hopefully, you are too! Here's a quick overview of what’s been happening in August: 

• Students at the department of Preliminary Studies arrived right after the August bank holiday, and the rest have gradually made their way in. Teaching began on August 18th, and the campus is now full of life. We have around 1500 new students and exchange students are 127.  
• Two Executive Board meetings were held this month. Topics discussed included: 
  • Management of joint study programs (with related regulations under development since last spring) 
  • The use of AI in academic settings 
  • Minor amendments to the school’s data protection policy  
  • A financial status update 
• Heads of support departments also met to discuss finances, HR matters, and planned infrastructure developments in and around the campus. It would be useful to add Borgarlína construction updates and related traffic issues to the agenda of an upcoming staff meeting this fall, as a lot of effort has gone into addressing these challenges. 
• A new phase of the strategy rollout is about to begin, with the first phase nearly complete. A staff meeting on the strategy is scheduled for October 8^th. 
• The first board meeting after the summer break will take place next week, covering: 
  • Student enrollment overview 
  • IT issues 
  • Risk assessment 
  • School finances and operations for the first six months of the year 
  • Winter planning and preparations 
• A fire alarm was triggered in Sólin on Wednesday, August 27th. Thankfully, there was no danger. As mentioned in the email you received from HR, the alarm went off due to an obstruction of the linear smoke detector. The safety committee will review the incident and take necessary follow-up actions. This incident is a good reminder to always take fire alarms seriously. You can review the school’s evacuation plan.
• On a personal note: I’m teaching this semester — a refreshing change that I’m really enjoying! 

Lastly, I hope the summer treated you well — that you enjoyed the outdoors, time with loved ones, and got some rest before the busy months ahead. I look forward to seeing you in the hallways! 

Warm regards,  
Ragnhildur  

Dear all, 

September got off to a lively start and has been full of activity—meetings, large and small, both here at the university, in Akureyri, and even internationally. There has also been no shortage of enjoyable events. Here’s a summary of the main happenings during this September, which flew by far too quickly!

• The first board meeting of the academic year was held at the beginning of the month, where we discussed IT matters; the school’s risk assessment; financing and operations during the first six months of the year; and preparation and planning for the academic year ahead.
• I met with Logi Einarsson, the Minister of Education, Innovation, and Higher Education, along with his ministry representatives, to discuss the state budget. The following week, he met with all university rectors to discuss the ministry’s financial strategy and policy. Later, the university division of the ministry visited to learn more about our operations—more on that below.
• We hosted two especially enjoyable ceremonies earlier in the month: the President's List Ceremony and the Scholarships for New Students and Industry-linked Grants. Students were recognized for academic excellence, with the President’s List including a partial tuition waiver. During the event with new students and industry representatives, scholarships from industry-linked funds were awarded alongside annual new student grants. It was a true pleasure to take part in these events and witness students being rewarded for their hard work and dedication.
• It was a great experience heading north for the "Soup and Strategy" meeting with local businesses, held at DriftEA in Akureyri on September 16. The topic was the future of technology education in Northeast Iceland. About 60 people attended to discuss how to strengthen the field and support its future development. The event was organized by the University of Akureyri and Reykjavík University, in collaboration with the Municipality of Akureyri and the Association of Municipalities and Economic Development in Northeast Iceland (SSNE). I am always heartened by the generosity people show toward universities and students by offering their time and knowledge to help guide us forward.
• The annual meeting between the university sector's cooperation committee and the Quality Board for Higher Education was held this September. The Quality Board’s annual conference took place at the Iceland University of the Arts, focusing on student well-being and support. Among the speakers were Gréta Matthíasdóttir and Kristján Kristjánsson, among others.
• Teaching is going well, and it’s refreshing to break from the daily routine and reconnect with students through instruction.
• Throughout September, we also held numerous work meetings—some full-day workshops focused on the university’s goals and strategy. Additionally, there were many internal meetings, often scheduled on short notice, but still highly useful and necessary.
• We received a statement and appeal from the National Union of Icelandic Students, Q – the Queer Student Association, and ERGI – the Queer Student Association of North Iceland. The letter expressed unwavering solidarity with LGBTQ+ students, condemned rhetoric and actions that undermine the existence, dignity, and safety of this important group, and reaffirmed the student movement’s commitment to human rights, diversity, and respect. – This is a vital reminder, and one we at Reykjavík University take very seriously.
• The Student Union at RU hosted its annual Olympics Week, which was a great success. It was fun to watch students from all departments compete in all kinds of unconventional but highly entertaining games. "The older I get, the better I was" – I often felt like joining in! But computer science took the victory—for the third year in a row.
• The RU International Day was also held at the beginning of September, with 500–700 students and staff taking the opportunity to explore various international opportunities.
• We had a visit from the Department of Higher Education and Science at the Ministry of Education, Innovation, and Higher Education. It was a pleasure to give them insight into RU’s work and research, and to show them our facilities. We visited Professor Hannes Högni Vilhjálmsson from the Computer Science Department, who presented his research on the use of virtual reality courtrooms for survivors of sexual violence. Associate Professor Erna Sif Arnardóttir, from the School of Engineering and Computer Science, also presented the Sleep Revolution and follow-up sleep research.
• The Executive Council approved continued development of two new academic programs—one as part of the NeurotechEU collaboration, and another in technology engineering. We also approved new policies on computer use and data storage, which will be presented at the next staff meeting and beyond.
• The startup Aldin Dynamics was named Startup Growth Company of the Year, an award recognizing strong entrepreneurial development. Thor Ice Chilling Solutions also received recognition for its impressive growth. The ceremony was held at the Botanical Garden in Laugardalur. Luckily, we were inside the greenhouse at Flóra during the event—it was pouring rain outside. The ceremony was festive, and in my speech, I emphasized that increased support and clear frameworks for innovation at RU are reflected in the growing number of patent applications and the increasing number of startups originating from university support. I also stressed the importance of supporting individuals who choose to pursue education at a time when technology is advancing rapidly—truly one of RU’s key missions.
• At the end of September, a Nordic rectors’ meeting was held, bringing together university leaders from all the Nordic and Baltic countries. These meetings are always valuable, with open and sincere discussions in smaller groups. Topics included challenges related to cooperation with universities and scholars in politically controversial or even unsafe countries—like Russia in the Baltics. Other themes included the long-term effects of COVID-19 on universities and the influx of international students. Institutions with the highest international enrolment are now facing political headwinds in their home countries. Much time was also devoted to global affairs and the state of universities in North America and beyond.

I apologize for not holding a staff meeting this September. With all the uncertainty surrounding the state budget, potential conclusion of the quality review, and other factors, I waited for more clarity—which unfortunately delayed things. But we will meet cheerfully this October!

In the meantime, I hope the academic year has started off well for all of you and that September went smoothly. Let’s remember to slow down carefully now that the mornings are darker and colder!

Warm regards,
Ragnhildur

October was filled with a wide variety of events and meetings. We continue to welcome guests from all directions, and it’s always a pleasure to show visitors what our students and teachers are working on in research and other projects. Many regular meetings were held, and there was also a particularly enjoyable graduation ceremony — congratulations to all the graduates and to everyone involved! Women gathered in great numbers on Arnarhóll to mark Women’s Day Off, and I was among many from Reykjavík University who did not show up for work that day. Two female scientists from RU received Nordic awards, and it’s not every day that one of our staff members is awarded the title Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy. Finally, a ghost made an appearance in the building on Halloween!

Here are the highlights from October:

• Teaching is going well, and the students are both fun and eager to learn.
• At an Executive Board meeting, it was agreed to continue work on the NeurotechEU programme line, while at the same time developing procedural guidelines for international joint study programmes. A promotion committee was also approved.
• We received a visit from Aleksander Kropiwnicki, Ambassador of Poland, and Sława Duszyńska and Anastazja Glogowska, representatives of the Polish Embassy. We stopped by to see Professor Slawomir Marcien Koziel from the School of Engineering and then discussed RU’s activities, including our connection to the Polish community in Iceland and our collaboration agreements with universities in Poland.
• In connection with the Arctic Circle conference, we were also visited by representatives from the University of Southern Maine in the United States. The purpose of their visit was to strengthen ties between the universities — we already have an exchange agreement, and the winners of the Viti competition visit that university.
• Law Day was held this month, where I gave a lecture on the safeguards the Icelandic Constitution provides against threats to the fundamental principles of democracy. I discussed the limitations and checks on power within Iceland’s constitutional system that restrict undemocratic forces from accumulating power, as well as the weaknesses that may increase the risk of misuse and authoritarian drift.
• A workshop was held to discuss the future vision for Neurotech at RU. It’s essential to consider how this large and exciting project — which we unanimously agreed to join — fits into the university’s overall structure and organization, and how it can benefit us all.
• Department heads also met for a productive and engaging workshop. We heard an interesting lecture on artificial intelligence and then discussed, in smaller groups, how we are implementing RU’s strategy in our daily work, how we might use it more effectively, and what we can learn from one another.
• An interesting seminar on the benefits and challenges Icelandic universities face as part of European university networks — for students, staff, institutional development, and society — was held at the Nordic House. I took part in a panel discussion on this topic, and Bryndís Björk Ásgeirsdóttir also participated in another panel focusing on innovation within European university networks and their impact on education, research, and employment opportunities. It was an excellent conversation, and it was fascinating to see how different the networks and their perceived benefits are across institutions!
• October 24 marked fifty years since the first Women’s Day Off, and many people went on strike that day — myself included. Although much has improved since then, it’s important not to become complacent and to continue fighting against the setbacks we see in gender equality around the world. It matters that everyone has the opportunity to use and develop their talents — and that’s certainly part of RU’s mission: to make sure that happens. That’s why we invite girls and boys to visit, talk to them about study choices, offer scholarships, and encourage people to pursue education that strengthens and empowers them — whether here or in fields we don’t offer.
• Graduation took place in Harpa on the last Saturday of October. We graduated 104 students from various departments. The ceremony was festive as always. As usual for October graduations, most graduates came from the School of Business and Economics, and most (across all departments) completed postgraduate studies.
• A staff meeting was finally held at the end of the month. The main updates were reviewed, and new rules regarding data storage and computer use were introduced. It’s great to be able to gather like this in a large group — and especially to catch up with colleagues we don’t see every day in our big building! The regular coffee mornings organized by HR’s People & Culture team are also great for that — including the Halloween coffee morning on Friday, October 31.
• The Board met twice during the month; one was an additional meeting focused on the university’s finances, particularly the use of supplementary government funding. The other was a workshop on RU’s vision and strategy, where we reviewed progress on the strategic plan approved in January 2024. We especially discussed our goal to be a driving force in Iceland’s business development as well as in expanding our programme offerings.
• It’s also a pleasure to share that Professor Anna Sigríður Islind from the Department of Computer Science and Bridget E. Burger, a specialist at RU Research Services, both received Nordic Women in Tech Awards this year. Anna Sigríður received the Liva Echwald Award, given in honor of the Danish entrepreneur and founder of Female Founders of the Future, Liva Echwald. Bridget received the Women in Tech Ally Award, recognizing individuals who have encouraged others and made a real impact in their community by increasing women’s participation in technology over the past two years.
• Dr. Paolo Gargiulo, Professor in RU’s School of Engineering and Head of the Health Technology Center, was awarded the title Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy by the Italian Republic for his contribution to academic and scientific cooperation between Italy and Iceland — in a formal ceremony held here at RU.
• RU Sustainability Day was held to mark the International Day of Sustainability, which takes place on the last Wednesday of October each year. The event featured a variety of sessions, including a symposium where experts from academia and industry discussed Iceland’s main climate commitments, with a special focus on the role and responsibility of companies in combating the climate crisis.
• And let’s not forget the great snow day at the end of the month — October 28! I want to thank all staff and students for responding with such patience and calm when operations were disrupted by the weather. Special thanks go to Gunnar and the entire team in Property Services for salting the area and standing outside the next morning helping both young and old across the icy patches left by the storm. Thank you!

Let’s all keep up the good work as we finish the semester — remember to have some fun along the way and take quiet moments to recharge your batteries.

Warm regards,
Ragnhildur

November went by quickly! Regular meetings, travel related to international collaboration, and routine gatherings characterized the month, as well as the end of teaching and the RU Christmas buffet, which was delightful. Here is an overview of some of the main events:

• The exam period for the 12-week semester has just ended. During the exam period, students and staff often experience significant pressure, and now after this exam round, the systems we rely upon will be reviewed with the aim of fixing any issues.
  
• Teaching is going well, and now that the exams are underway, I wish my students—and of course all our students—the very best these coming weeks.
  
• Daði Már Kristófersson, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Helgi Gunnarsson, Chairman of the Icelandic Association of Engineers, and I signed an agreement establishing a new consultation platform on project governance and public investment. The purpose is to strengthen cooperation between the Ministry of Finance, RU and the Association of Engineers, support the development of best practices in public administration, connect expertise, and highlight effective methods. Helgi Þór Ingason leads this on behalf of RU.
  
• A Board meeting was held at the end of the month. On the agenda were finances, cybersecurity, quality matters, board procedures, conflict-of-interest registration, RU’s international position, and the 2026 operational and financial plan.
  
• The University Office held an open house where staff members could drop by and get to know the activities better!
  
• At the monthly Executive Council meeting, guidelines relating to artificial intelligence were approved.
  
• A workday for the school deans was held at the end of the month, reviewing the semester and quality matters. Excellent discussions took place on facilities, the importance of students and teachers being on-site, and other issues.
  
• The University Council met this November. These meetings, held three to four times per year, include discussions on the university’s strategy regarding studies, teaching, research, quality, and the university’s connection to industry. In recent days, we discussed RU in an international context, the school’s standing on global indicators, and collaboration for knowledge development and networking. As usual, these were productive and valuable discussions. The deans attended the meetings, and the matters were discussed in groups based on academic interests, which was a refreshing change.
  
• The Joint Committee of Higher Education Institutions met this month. It is both necessary and truly enjoyable to meet all university rectors in Iceland, as this is the main consultation and collaboration forum for the country’s higher education institutions. At the meeting, we discussed the review of the universities’ funding model. We then sent a joint letter requesting certain changes that all universities agree would be beneficial.
  
• Related to this, we submitted RU’s own formal comments on the funding model and our experience with it.
  
• The staff meeting had a festive tone. In the first part of the meeting, I reviewed the goals for the staff workshop held on December 2, where we went over our strategy, identified the priorities we find most important, and examined which priorities may no longer be relevant. At the end, Rakel Gunnarsdóttir and Katrín Rut Bessadóttir reviewed the RU Christmas program, which began in late November and will peak in mid-December. More information can be found on Orion.
  
• The Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education is reviewing the national research infrastructure, and I, along with other members of RU’s management team, was called to consultations on this in mid-month.
  
• The RU Christmas buffet was held at Gullhamrar, and it was wonderful to step out of the office with colleagues and enjoy good food together in a festive environment. Warm thanks for the time together and to those who organized it.
  
• In early November, NeurotechEU held its annual meeting, along with meetings of the network’s rectors. We discussed the future, possible expansion of the network, and celebrated the development of a joint study track.
  
• In mid-month, I took part in a workshop in Copenhagen on the development of the separation of powers in an era of increasing international cooperation.
  
• On November 12–13, I attended a meeting of the European Research Advisory Council of the Nature Springer publishing group. It was highly informative and enjoyable, and I shared perspectives on science in Iceland and the Nordic countries to the best of my ability.
  
• Work on the 2026 budget is underway—the first draft was approved by the Board at the end of the month, and the completed plan will go before the Board in mid-December.

I hope the Advent season treats you well and that you manage to find moments of warmth and relaxation amidst busy times at work. Everyone does this in their own way—some attend Christmas concerts, others go all-in on decorations or bake fourteen types of cookies, and still others simply do something entirely different, like going for a run in the icy weather. Whatever it may be, I hope you enjoy the season and that all goes well in your projects over the coming weeks. We are rounding off the year—and doing it well!

Warm regards,
Ragnhildur.

Although December is perhaps one of the busiest months here at HR, it is fortunately also a festive one. Teaching, exams, meetings, and a wide range of events and seminars are high on the agenda this December, but here are the main highlights from me: 

• A staff workshop on RU’s strategy was held at the beginning of December. The meeting was very good and useful, with focused discussions that resulted in valuable input and material which we will now take forward and work on. 
  
• I met with the Executive Council and the Board of the Icelandic Chamber of Commerce, where I gave a broad overview of HR’s activities. I discussed the University’s distinctiveness, particularly regarding teaching and research, HR’s position in an international context, its strategy, and future prospects. This was followed by fruitful and constructive discussions. 

• On 1 December, a group of 15 people, including the RU Student Association Board, were invited to Bessastaðir, where Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland, welcomed us and spoke, among other things, about artificial intelligence and humanity. It was a great day, and the students later highlighted this at the final consultation meeting of the year as one of the year’s highlights. 

• I decided to postpone our monthly staff meeting, which was scheduled for 16 December, as the main agenda items were not ready. The following day, 17 December, the Christmas lunch and the RU Awards took place in Olympus. 

• And speaking of the RU Awards! Heartfelt congratulations to this year’s award recipients: Anna Lára Gísladóttir, Yngvi Björnsson, and Jón Friðrik Sigurðsson. 

• Work on the budget has now been completed, and the plan for the coming year is in place. 

• At a meeting of the Executive Council, the following items were approved: Frostbyte, a new research center within the Department of Computer Science; a name change to Háskólagrunnur; and student evaluations of courses. 

• The Board meeting that was scheduled for mid-month was postponed; however, the approval of the 2026 operational and financial plan is pending. 

• The anniversary symposium of the Department of Engineering was highly successful, with several of the department’s leading researchers and lecturers presenting their work in celebration of its 20th anniversary. 

• I met with Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Silja Bára R. Ómarsdóttir, Rector of the University of Iceland, to discuss cooperation on building expertise in the field of development cooperation. At the meeting, we signed an agreement on collaboration regarding grants from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to research projects aimed at building partnerships with universities in sub-Saharan Africa and thereby strengthening domestic expertise in international development cooperation. 

• Earlier this week, I received a letter from the Data Protection Authority informing us that its ex-officio investigation following the cyberattack has concluded, resulting in a formal warning and a list of remedial actions it deems necessary. 

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and that you are able to enjoy quality time with family and friends, eat good food, and get some well-deserved rest after the semester. You can all be proud of your projects and contributions over the past year. 

Merry Christmas, and my heartfelt thanks for the year, the collaboration, and the fun we shared! We did well. I look forward to the coming year. 

Ragnhildur 

2025